Albert Franz began creating a new multi-purpose duck in 1930, by using the Rouen, German Pekin and Blue Pommern Ducks in is breeding program. By 1934 he had it all fairly well down pat, but by the end of WW2, few Saxonys remained, so he renewed his breeding program.The Saxony Duck became an official recognised breed in Germany for the 1st time in the year 1957.Later it was introduced in the United States in 1984, then not long after, Australia.

Origin:-Germany

Colours: -Only one colour is known to exist of the Saxony and that is its original base colour. (see below).

Eggs:-The females of the large varietylay large pearl white eggs. Overseas Saxonys are prolific egg layers, yet Australian standard size Saxonys are not as prolific. Hence why Saxonys (especially standard size) are not overly common. Bantams ducks on the other hand are much better/more prolfic layers, that's why you will find the bantams of this breed slowly becoming more popular than the large variety.

Comments:- They are a general purpose breed of duck yet used and only known for/as Show birds. They do not grow as fast as some other breeds, and are inclined to change colouring several times, before they reach their prime adult plumage/colour. I would not recommend them as a beginners breed, as in Australia, they are reasonably difficult to obtain especially the large variety, (not so much the bantams), and to also obtain the birds that are as close to true breed characteristics as possible.

Cost:- They are reasonably priced due to them being an attractive non-popular duck. Good show specimens of good characteristics are a fair price.

Classification:-Heavy Breed

Exhibition:-Exhibition Saxonys (both sexes) need to have the following characteristics:Carriage/Appearance: Strong, with a broad body and no trace of a keel.Type-Body: Long and Stocky, with a long broad back that is slightly sloping to the rear. The Breast is to be broad and deep with no sign of a keel. Wings need to be neatly lying into the sides and not too long. Tail is long and carried closed.Head: long and flat, with the bill of moderate length and width.Neck: Average length and not thin.Legs & Feet: Average length and set almost midway in the body.Plumage: Lies close into the body and soft/light under feathering.

Exhibition Drakes need to have the following markings/colourings:Head and Neck: Blue as far down to the white ring. Lower part of neck, shoulders and breast need to be a rust red colour, with slight silver lacing on the breast. Back and Rump: Blue-grey. Tail feathers and wings: Oatmeal with blue wing bars.Bill is either plain yellow or with pale green shading.

Exhibition Ducks need to have the following markings/colourings:Head neck and Breast: Buff with a white eye line. There is a suggestion of a light broken neck ring. Back and lower breast: paler buff. Wings: Cream. Wing Bars and Tail: A light shade of blue. Bill is either plain yellow or with brownish shading.

Rarity: -Standard size Saxony Ducks are not a very popular duck overall, however Bantams are on the increase and becoming more recognised and popular.

Breeding/Selecting Breeders & Birds:- a lot of Saxonys are undersize, so it would be in your best interests to consider heavily muscled birds of good size in breeding. They are the best layer among the large breed ducks as well as being an active forager. So it is important to use breeders that are strong legged, active, robust and good layers of large eggs. Also select birds with rich clearly defined correct colouring as well as being moderately large, keel-less and solidly built. They are the main things to look for/select in breeders and show birds.Breeding Saxony Ducks is very interesting as well as a fair challenge and very rewarding once you have your bird/s as close to the true breed as possible that youâ€™re proud of.Saxonys should have very beautiful soft rich colouring that is clearly defined. They are prone to discolour/fade under long exposure to the sunâ€¦. (Then you get your washed out lookâ€¦..not good), so shade is necessary.

Feeding:-Usually Saxonys are active foragers, so ideally would not need as much feeding as Muscovys, however on the other hand as I have mentioned above, a lot of Saxonys are undersize, so that need to be taken into account for breeding and feeding. Weights: Drake: 3.2 - 3.6 Kg Duck: 2.7 - 3.2 Kg

Bantams:- There are bantams of this breed around and are slowly becoming more popular than the Standard size Saxonys, yet Bantams are not recognised in the 1 edition APS.

Edit:* Please note that this colour of the Saxony, is also known to exist in the British Waterfowl Standards as a colour of Indian Runner known as ‘Saxony coloured’ (just like Mallard-coloured, or Harlequin Coloured etc). There are very few breeders in Australia however, creating the Saxony colour in Indian Runners, I would be very surprised to see it in the 2nd edition of the Australian Poultry standards. *

Last edited by poultry1 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:44 am, edited 3 times in total.

Thanks for the ins and outs of saxonys We are new to breeding ducks and have started with both large and bantams The question I have for saxony experts is with the drakes how far should to claret colour from the chest continue down the body? We have been given conflicting opinions.Thanks again

the standards do not specify how far down the rusty red colour should go, however, it does state that the colour (rusty red) needs to extend from the lower part of neck, onto the shoulders and over the breast. Now, The breast of a duck is that front protrusion (depending on the breed) that the base of the neck blends into. (if you weren't aware).So, for the colour to be on the breast...that's where it should be and only be and not any futher down or shorter/smaller.

If you don't totally understand me, then go for a look at some pictures of saxony drakes. 8) Have a look at the internet links above, and see the colouring/marking on them....

I am in the south east Brisbane area and am interested in bantam saxony ducks. Does anyone know who breeds them in my area? Also if someone does breed them, and you reply, can you please advise a price for a pair and fertile egg prices. Thanks

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